Apostille Philadelphia

There are two types of Apostille certifications people need to know about when it comes time to gather documents for their travelers. A current state-issued ID, a passport valid for at least six months, a visa issued in advance and appropriate to the type of visit… while only the last may require an Apostille, all are interconnected in their applications. Some countries request federal criminal background checks to work abroad. Others may need a marriage certificate to approve citizenship. For these documents to be recognized in certain foreign countries, Apostille certification must be provided.

The closest office to Philadelphia capable of processing state-issued Apostille certifications is the Secretary of State in Harrisburg. Any documents certified here can only be those issued by the state itself, e.g. marriage certificates, university diplomas, certain business agreements. However, for any documentation issued by the federal government – naturalization certificates, criminal background checks – an Apostille must be issued at the US Department of State.

Both types of Apostilles are available with applications through the mail and in person in Harrisburg, but this isn’t always possible for many applicants. Driving from Philadelphia to the capital during normal business hours may be possible if your departure date is quickly approaching, nor would you necessarily want your application to be just left waiting to be processed in the mail. Only a few cities have satellite offices for the Secretary of State outside the capital, and Philadelphia is not one of them; all in-person applications must be made in Harrisburg. Mail-in applications on the state level don’t usually take too long, but the DC offices of the Department of State may take weeks depending on the backlog.

If you’re not able to travel to either office for any reason, then it might be prudent to add up the time for these applications prior to a trip. Passport renewals through the mail can be processed in a matter of days… or weeks. Visa applications, assuming the visa can even be processed through the mail – some countries don’t allow this – adds a few more days. This means sending applications through the mail at least three time sequentially, as the information on one completed document may needed for another application.

Travel Visa Pro in Philadelphia experts can significantly cut down this processing time to alleviate your travel worries, and get you your passport and visa without the hassle.

Apostille Services in Philadelphia, PA

For many travelers, it all comes down to convenience. Would you rather handle your applications yourself for the first time, risking possible delays or even a cancellation, or entrust your documents to a company with a proven track record of demystifying the visa and passport application process?

Travel Visa Pro’s team of travel experts have over forty years of experience getting our clients the travel documents they need in the time they need. Whether you’re in a hurry or have time to spare, Travel Visa Pro is there to help travelers in Philadelphia.